Restoration can be a very involved process, one that takes care and patience, along with an attention to historical detail. Antique dealers who specialize in restoration and repair must have many years of experience honing their craft. They may have attended schooling specific to this endeavor, and they may have majored in history in college. Internships and apprenticeships may also be required.

Good skills to have in this reproduction and restoration business include attention to detail, a steady hand, adept eye at spotting fakes, and technical know-how to repair and restore a wide range of antiques, from paintings and autos to music boxes and typewriters. Some professionals in this business own their own antique store, buying and selling items like solid wood tables, oak dressers, and cherry end tables. Some work out of their home, while others work for larger companies.

Many conservators have websites that outline the services they offer such as refinishing, stripping, cleaning, touch-ups, and repairing. This may include removing an improper finish to pine, teak, mahogany, pine, or maple furniture such as cabinets. It can entail replacing missing or broken pieces such as ash cabinet knobs. Other times, it involves repairing damage to original porcelain dolls, fabric, cabinetry, phonographs, and typewriters.

Antique dealers may attend trade shows and traveling antique shows, or take informative courses to keep up with the latest in industry news. They may also belong to an association of some sort to keep abreast of any news regarding restoration of specific time period pieces such as music boxes, phonographs, adding machines, office machines, and furniture. They should be adept at using the appropriate cleaning supplies and tools necessary to perform the repair and restoration process on autos and furniture.

Crs - Antique ConservationAntique Repairs is the place where Bayville knows to take their antique furniture for antique repair, antique refurbishment, & Antique Restoring. There's no better place in town.

Antique repairing and restoration companies can often repair mechanical and wood antiques that have been damaged. When you contact the antique repairing and restoration companies, ask them how long they have been in business. Those with several years of experience should understand the repairing, cleaning, and restoration techniques for mechanical antiques like typewriters, phonographs, and music boxes and solid wood antiques like cabinetry, tables, and furniture. If you have mechanical antiques such as music box, phonographs, typewriters, adding machines, and office machines, ask them if they have experience with these. If you have solid wood antiques, ask them if they have a cabinet shop with a conservator who is familiar with maple, pine, cherry, mahogany, teak, ash, and oak. Some antiques might be in conditions that are so bad that they cannot be repaired or restored. In this instance, you should ask them if they can make a reproduction of the antique. Ask the companies if they provide written quotes for the services that you need. Once you have gathered several quotes, you will be able to pick the company that has the best price for you. Ask them where they are located and what their hours are. Find out if they have someone who can help you transport the antiques if they are large. Be sure to ask them if these services are included in the quote or if you will have to pay extra for them. Ask the company if they guarantee their work and if they are bonded so that you can help ensure that you will get the services that you need.